Beeston Castle

Whilst on holiday earlier in the year we became English Heritage members and so decided to use it this weekend. We choose Beeston Castle.

"Beeston Castle is among the most dramatically sited fortresses in England. It stands on the summit of a sandstone crag towering over the Chester Plain, a center of human activity for over 4000 years." is how it is described in the member's handbook. On a clear day there is astounding views across 8 counties, from the welsh mountain to the pennines. Our day wasn't so clear and we had to dodge the showers but the views were still amazing.

The Victorian Ticket office

This little beauty is just over a hour away from us, as there is not that many closer to Blackburn. The postcode takes you straight to the Ticket office, CW6 9TX. There is a car park directly opposite of which there is a small charge (£3.00 all day) though as members parking, as well entry fee was free (otherwise pay £8.80 adult, £5.30 child). At the point of entry I was asked if I wanted to buy the guidebook, which I always do, but it was raining so I said on out way out. The gent behind the counter said you can borrow our store copy! He gave us a map and told us the best way to go to get the most of the visit. So off we went after a quick toilet break.

As it states in the handbook, there is a warning that comes with this site. There is a steep ascent to the inner bailey with no disabled access to the top of the hill. Sturdy footwear is also recommended. As you ascend through a short woodland walk you come to the outer gatehouse where you have a choice to make. We decided to go left as recommended by the gent in the shop, along the outer ward wall.

Ranulf, sixth earl of Chester began to build the castle in the early 1220's. The castle was soon passed to the crown and was besieged for many months during the civil war. After its surrender the castle was partly demolished and the ruins became a popular destination and I can fully understand why with the views that greet you from the top.

As you make your way around the outer ward wall don't forget to look back. You start to get a tease of the the full view from the top would look like...

The castle's crowning glory - the inner bailey

After leaving the ruined gatehouse with a short walk across the outer ward you start to see the Castle's crowning glory, the inner Bailey, beyond the steep climb up. A path is then laid out for you as you reach the top. But has before, take time to look back and take in the views. There is a few benches along the way to rest.

At the end of the path you come to the foot bridge that takes you across the man made rock-cut ditch that separates the outer ward from the inner ward to the inner gatehouse. (I wasn't happy with my photos off this so have not included them in this blog. A reason to go back, right?). As you go through the gatehouse and climb on a little ledge you see the astounding views that were promised.

As we make our way back down through the gatehouse, we take the path to the left that takes us through another woodland walk. As it becoming autumn the colours of the woodland are just amazing.

The introduction of the guidebook states that the crag was important for metal working in the Bronze Age as a number of highly prized bronzed ages objects have been found on the site. Occupation then continued into the Iron Age as banks and ditches of an Iron Aged hillfort lie beneath the later medieval defences.

Following the path through the woodland you come across a newly created Bronze Age roundhouse that is bringing to life the untold prehistoric story of the site. Not yet completely finished but still an impressive site and a welcome surprise.

Leading away from the roundhouse we are almost back where we started as we approach the outer gatehouse. This was a lovely autumn photo walk that was enjoyed by all. All in all in took around 2 and half hours to do the route we did. By looking at the map there was a shorter and a longer route around depending on how much time you have but remember no disabled access at the top.

We finished our walk with lunch and a hot drink in the cafe which is just along the road from the main entrance. The only downside is that it is completely outside seating and a tad expensive.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read.

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